Startup Matching – Get to know Startups

Finding the perfect match is a similar matter like choosing a private partner, but also a matter of startup cooperation. In order for the cooperation to harmonize, the needs, solutions and objectives of both partners should match each other individually. What exactly Startup Matching is about, why it is valuable, and how you finally get to the optimal match, we explain in this article of the series “Get to know Startups”.

What is Startup Matching?

Startup Matching refers to the matching of a company with a startup that fits its individual needs as a cooperation partner. In a lucky case, this can happen relatively quickly, but sometimes it also requires a longer systematic search. Startup Matching or Matchmaking therefore takes often place in the B2B area.

Chronologically, Startup Matching can be classified after the needs assessment, but before the collaboration management. As one of the first steps in a collaboration project, the needs analysis with the involved stakeholders should already have been completed so that a targeted solution can be sought. If a suitable partner is then found during Startup Matching, further collaboration can be coached as part of collaboration management.

How do you find the perfect match?

To find the right match, startups and companies must first meet. We will go into the different ways startups can do this in other parts of our series of articles “Getting to know startups”. After the introductory phase, however, you have to select from the range of startups the one that best suits your needs. For this, it can be useful to take the help of an intermediary who has specialized in matchmaking. At this point, we at Ambivation also support by offering our startup matchmaking. Before the actual matchmaking process, it is also useful to conduct the needs analysis so that the specific problem can be identified and the solution can be selected specifically. Furthermore, a startup market analysis can be helpful to get a better overview of the broad offer on the respective market in advance.

Why is Startup Matching useful?

Collaborating with a startup offers the advantage that development, creation and implementation of innovation can be accelerated immensely. However, this only works if both partners fit together and the startup’s solution meets the company’s needs. In addition, both the value and goal concepts of both parties should match. In order to overcome and successfully manage hurdles in the collaboration, it can make sense to continue to employ an intermediary after matching. Here Ambivation supports with the startup collaboration management. This accompanies both partners throughout the collaboration process.

Once the right partner has been found through Startup Matching, the collaboration can be a great win-win for both partners. The company can not only benefit from the startup’s innovative solution, but also learn from its flexible approach and agility. The startup, in turn, can learn from the company’s wealth of experience and sometimes gain access to new customer groups.

Startup matching therefore makes sense for both sides, and is in some ways inevitable for successful collaboration. If both parties are individually suited to each other and the cooperation runs harmoniously, all parties involved can derive benefits from it. To ensure this, the support of an intermediary can be useful, which can also be continued after the match in the cooperation process.

About Ambivation

Ambivation connects innovative companies and startups for cooperation and innovation partnerships. As an innovation consultancy and matchmaker, Ambivation promotes cooperation between established companies and startups within the framework of concrete customer, supplier and research partnerships. We support companies in the identification of needs, startup identification, startup evaluation and cooperation initiation with startups. Formats such as research on relevant startups, startup monitoring, strategic cooperation consulting or event formats such as startup tours serve this purpose. Our monthly newsletter also provides information on current examples of cooperation and events.